To Build a Better Biltmore.

[Tony in Tarzana]

My avatar hat is vintage... hence the burnt orange colored band and the tan felt. They were all about cominations back then. Sometimes the brown and grey day to day just gets boring.

What avatar hat? I'm not seeing your avatar nor am I seeing a lot of people's avatars the past few days.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Levine hats has an interesting model in blue -
http://www.levinehat.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=7

So, what is this, chopped liver? Am I invisible here?

 

[Roger]

Where in Las Vegas was this expo? Who were the other hatters?:eusa_doh:

 

[besdor]

Magic

The Magic show is in Las Vegas twice a year . It is the largest clothing show for men and women . As for hatters the following exibit there :

Borsalino ,Biltmore , Bailey , Stetson ,Kangol and many more .

I've met many retailers there over the years and its a fun show to go to .




Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[jimmy the lid]

Article on Eric Lynes/Biltmore

Here's an interesting article I just came across about Eric Lynes and his acquisition of Biltmore:

http://www.guelphmercury.com/progress/progress_060406124429.html

I bought a Miller Hats/Biltmore "Trenton" about a year ago and am quite pleased -- it is made of the "President" quality felt, and looks and feels very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to explore what Biltmore may have in store for the future...

 

[skwerl-hat]

I went to the Magic clothing expo in Vegas this week and got to meet and greet and shake hands woth those in the current hatting industries more well known companies.

i never even heard about this :-(
the hat folk was in town and i never knew!

 

[Matt Deckard]

It was a fun show with alot of guys in ill fitting suits and the occasional one in a well fitted suit.

If they want to know style they should call Art Fawcett. He knows how a suit should fit.

 

[BigSho]

Well here are some pictures of the Biltmore open crown that I believe Matt was talking about. I know this perticular felt and body come in theis grey a black, fawn (camelish beige), and a Silverbelly which is quite nice.

Sorry for the uneven bash it was a one handed job while i had my face glued to the camera. It is a challenge trying to get this done without customers in the store so I had to do it quick.

Jeremy
http://www.hats-plus.com

 

[BellyTank]

Jeremy...

How does one find this hat on your website?

B
T

 

[BigSho]

Unfortunatley this hat is not on my website. Seeing as it is less than 2 years old and we do all the photography in house I have yet to get a lot of hats up. If anyone is interested please feel free to PM me and I would be happy to give you mor info on it personally. There is also a toll free on the web site I always welcome a phone call.

Jeremy
http://www.hats-plus.com

 

[jimmy the lid]

Miller Hats Version...

Looks very similar to the "Douglas" hat offered by Miller Hats (and made by Biltmore...)

http://www.millerhats.com/derby2.htm

 

[Art Fawcett]

I'm pleased to see that Biltmore is coming back and it's with some pzazzz Matt. Haven't been to a Magic show because until this year have never dealt in anything "new" as you know. Let us know about others you spent time with!!
Oh, ,,the picture...I'm SURE you must have been twisting my arm when taken..or it was late on a Sunday night ( packing up time). I sure don't look happy in it!!!

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Before I would buy a rabbitt felt from Biltmore I would and have bought a 50% beaver 50% hare from Bailey. The Fedora Lounge cost is only $150.00. A much better hat...and value IMHO...



http://www.getahaton.com/proddetail.php?prod=ARH6062

 

[besdor]

Roger , I never knock any hat BUT that Bailey Beaver hat isn't worth the money . If another company like Biltmore or even Stetson made the hat , it would be better . Bailey( Bollman) is not a felt hat company but a wool hat company . Their felt hats do not hold up . They've been trying for years to upgrade their image and it's not happening . With the exception of a few basic hats from them , my advice is stay away form the hat .



Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[BigSho]

I am going to have to agree with Steven on this one folks. I carry that felt in a fedora shape with a 2 3/4 inch brim and it feels and looks just like a hare from Biltmore. Bailey tries to hard to create this "Bailey of Hollywood" and tends to lack on quality in their fur felt hats.

Jeremy
http://www.hats-plus.com

 

[besdor]

I sold one to a customer who wore one in a light rain . The only thing holding the hat together was the leather sweatband . The hat completely shrunk down a size . Stretching it or blocking it was out of the question . We returned the whole delivery of them the next week .


Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[Aaron Hats]

Steven, I haven't been in the hat business as long as you but I have to disagree. That Bailey is better than any Stetson we stock. True, Bailey isn't known for their fur felts but I'm proud to sell this hat.

I guess I'll let people who have bought the hat speak if they wish.

Thanks for the support.

 

[BigSho]

Yeah Bollman is run to much like a corporation than a Hat company. I am not even gonna get started with the way that Kangol is heading. But hey thats the nature of the capatalist beast.

Jeremy
http://www.hats-plus.com

 

[Aaron Hats]

Can you blame them? Hat stores are the minority, not the majority, of their customers. I'm sure we'd all love to sell custom, high-end hats but that's not what pays the bills. Kangol, Tilley and Bailey do.

 

[besdor]

Bailey Hat

I will agree that this Bailey is made from a better fur than Stetsons royal or even soverign line . The problem with Bailey is that they are set up as a wool and straw factory . Every time they have tried to create better hats , it has not worked . One example is the Borsalino USA line of hat from a few years ago . They were a disaster . Now , if you are talking about Bailey line of Lite felts or their western line of cowboy hats , I would say that they are as good or even better than those made by Stetson or Biltmore .
My point is stick to what you make best . Leave the high end hats to the guys like Borsalino , or the Biltmore President line (A great Hat).

Steven
Bencraft Hats